combinases

Combinases are enzymes that facilitate the recombination of DNA segments, playing essential roles in genetic diversity and manipulation. The most studied combinases include the RAG1/RAG2 complex, which mediates V(D)J recombination in the immune system. This process allows B and T cells to generate diverse antigen receptors by rearranging variable (V), diversity (D), and joining (J) gene segments, enabling the recognition of a vast array of pathogens.

Other notable combinases are site-specific recombinases like Cre and Flp, widely used in genetic engineering. These enzymes recognize specific DNA sequences and catalyze recombination between them, enabling precise manipulation of genetic material. Combinases typically function through a mechanism involving DNA cleavage at specific sites, followed by strand exchange and rejoining, resulting in deletions, inversions, or translocations.

The study of combinases has advanced our understanding of DNA repair mechanisms, evolutionary processes, and has led to important applications in biotechnology and medicine, particularly in developing gene therapies and understanding immune disorders.